Gravity hinge



w. T. SNYDER GRAVITY HINGE June 24, 1930.

.2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 14, 1928 Patented June 24, 1930 UNETED STATES n? 'FZEi-EiCfE WILLIA T. SNYDER, orsonnsivnw YORK GRAVITY HINGE Application filed .Tune 14,

the pin during the opening and closing movement of the door.

One leaf is provided with an anti-friction roller which is in rolling contact with a 5 cam track, which may be either on the pintle pin or on one of the knuckles of the complementary leaf. It is obvious then, that as the door opens, it raises upwardly, under the action of the roller and cam and is automatically returned to closing position by this same means under the action of gravity.

The present improvement is characterized by an improved pintle pin having an integral enlargement formed with a cam surface or track, this enlargement having a retaining prong adjustably associated with the keeper seat in a complemental knuckle, in order to permit the pintle pin to be adjusted circumferentially to vary the inclination of the track with respect to the anti- I friction roller and to thereby accurately regulate the action of gravity.

Another feature of the invention is the beveled anti-friction roller and mounting means therefor, which is such as to facilitate action of the roller and to thereby render the operation of the construction more dependable and eflicient.

Referring to the drawings 1-- Figure l is an elevational view of the gravity hinge constructed in accordance with the present invention showing the leaves spread apart. 7

Fig. 2 is a side elevation with the leaves swung together.

Fig. 3 is a section taken approximately upon the plane of the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail 1928. Serial No. "2855491.,

view showing [the cam adjusting and retains ing" means, and I T Fig. i5-isfalso an exaggerated fragmentary detail :view, showing the anti-frictionroller and its mounting.

Considering theparts by reference'znumerals, it will be .observedthatmne leaf is designated by the numeral 6, andt-hel-complementalrleaf iby thenumeral 7. Ellheleaf 6 is provided with longitudinally spaced hinged knuckles 8 and 9 respectively, surrounding the cylindrical pintlesfIO. The

remaining elea'f riS provided with an upper knuckle 111, and a lower knuckle 1 2. "The knuckle 112 is .of specialconstruction.

g-For example, as shown" in Fig. .4,1i-t' is provided its upper edge with gcircumferentially spaced depressions forming keeper seat-s Formed won the pint-le 10 1 and :10-

eated between the knuckles "9and l2is :an p.

integral -enlar g;ement crcam 14;, hose ruppjenedge iis formed with an .inclinedztnack 1.5, :with which the ran-ti friction @roller is cooperable, The roller 1:6 is -;attached-1to the .lrnnoklei .9.

ilt'rwill'be noted from Fig. hthati-the cam is provided, on its lower edge avith a retainier :prong 1 7 receivable in one of the depressions .13, :thus allowing the pintle to be adjusted rto :vary the inclination -.o-f 1 the track \With respectgtc .the anti-friction; roller. The roller,g-wv-hicli haswbevelled periphery engaging theqcain :track is attached :by a bracket 1.8.35.0 thez;pintles9.

i1 propose to provide aspecialimounting far this roller, land-invite attention 22H) "Fig. 5,\v-.vherein-;it still be, seen that 19 designates the cylindrical portion of-a journal-pin hav: ing aasquare endrport-ion 'QOii-tted into. correspondingly shaped openings in I, the pintle 9 ,t33t1-1Clidfi dfil'ifind pontion ;of rthe bracket 18. Mounted on this portion 19 isqarbushing :21, which constitutes :the hub for {the bevelled roller 1'6, This ;.ar-rang,eanent is advantageous from the standpoint of assembly as well as freedom of operation.

From the foregoing description and drawings, it will be seen that I have evolved and produced a novel gravity hinge for doors and the like, which is exceptionally eflicient in performance and capable of fulfilling the requirements of an invention of this class in a positive and dependable manner. It is smooth and quiet'in operation and is a mechanical achievement which is regarded as practical and commercially eligible, as a competitive structure in the art. 9 The. important distinction of the circumferentially adjustable cam track with respect to the anti-friction roller to vary the action of gravity is an important pointto' bearin mind, since it characterizes and distinguishes the lnvention. V Moreover the rotationofthe roller produced by the novel mounting is a feature not to be overlooked. It-is thought, however, by considering the description'in connection with thedrawings, a clear understanding of the construction, operation and advantages will be had. Therefore, amore lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new is 1. In a hinge structure of the class described, a pair of complemental leaves .pro-

.vided with pivot knuckles, one of said knuckles being formed with a bearing opening, a bracket carried by said one knuckle and having an opening for cooperation with the first-named opening, ajournal pin having flattened ends fitting into said openings, a bushing surrounding the pin, between the bracket and knuckle, and aroller mounted on said bushing, said roller having a beveled periphery, and a pintle pin extending through said knuckles and being provided with a camrtrackwith which said roller is cooperable, one of said knuckles being provided with depressions forming keeper seats, and said cam having a depending projection forming a detent selectively receivable in'said seats.

2. A device of the character described comprising a leaf, a pivot knuckle carried by said leaf having a plurality of depressions therein, a rotatably shiftable pintle extending through said knuckle, a cam mounted on said pintle and extending over 7 the knuckle, a protuberance carried by said cam for selective insertion in one of the depressions in the knuckle for maintaining the pintle and cam in an adjusted position against rotary movement therein, and means mounted thereon for co-action with the cam for causing the last named means'to gravitate to a normal position from which same has been moved.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

WILLIAM T. SNYDER. 

